Council and councillors

Report No. 199/2017

Report No. 199/2017 from the Director for People was received.

The Portfolio Holder, Mr Foster, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to comply with the duty which arises from the new Children and Social Worker Act 2017 to publish a Local Offer for Care Leavers providing information about services which the local authority offers that may assist Care Leavers in, or in preparing for, adulthood and independent living. This includes services relating to health and wellbeing; relationships; education and training; employment; accommodation and participation in society. The policy was intended to give an overview of Rutland’s offer to Care Leavers.  Mr Foster noted that the Rutland County Council offer to care leavers was one of the areas which a recent Ofsted Inspection had identified as being “Good”.

During discussion the following points were raised:

i.      Much of the document was based on the service that was already being offered to Care Leavers.  There was already a good service in place which provided Care Leavers with support, advocacy and mentoring to ensure that the transition from being looked after was managed from an early stage to ensure positive outcomes and support was provided up to the age of 25; and

ii.    Work around providing information and support to Members in their role as Corporate Parents was continuing.

DECISION

Cabinet APPROVED the Care Leavers Local Offer 2017-2020 (Appendix A to Report 199/2017).

Reason for decision

As a council we want to make sure our Care Leavers can access a range of services to meet their needs including financial support, access to health, education training and employment, personal advisers, effective pathway planning, appropriate housing including supported accommodation if this is assessed as being a need and mental health and counselling services as required.

With our local offer alongside our promise (Pledges) to Care Leavers we are confident that as a council, and in partnership with our partners and our Care Leavers and those young people looked after, we will enhance our service further and ensure all our Care Leavers have the best start possible into adulthood.

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Mr A Walters Returned to the meeting

Mr A Edwards joined the meeting

Mr J Frieland joined the meeting

Ms R Wilshire left the meeting and did not return

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